Disconnecting-switch



C. CHRISTENSEN. DISCONNECTING SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4. 1919.

C. CHRISTENSEN. DISCONMECTING SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1919.

Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

cyflllenior hmlsfenChmlsiensm Z9 My dZiaJmeys C. CHRISTENSEN. DISCONNECTINGSWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1919.

1,394,968. Patented 06a 25, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3. 52 j Uzrllsj mChri j ewen/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHRISTEN CHRISTENSEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRICAL ENGI- NEERS EQUIPMENT CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

DISCONNECTING-SWITCH.

Application fil ed June '4,

witches of this general description are particularlyadapted for dividing a transmission line into sections to facilitate inspection and repairs. They are usually mounted in the transmission line upon a tower or pole adjacent a power house or sub-station or upon a frame on top of the station in alinement with the conductor to be controlled and are operated or controlled from a distance as by an arrangement of rods and levers extending to a suitable operating handle in a convenient position at the foot of the tower or other supporting structure.

Where considerable current must be carried and particularly where relatively high tension current is involved the matter of providing a quick, positive opening switch presents a very considerable practical difiiculty. This is particularly true when the switch is fairly large and heavy. The frictional resistance of the terminals and the weight of the movable switch member in switches of this type'isfrequently such as to make quick and positive opening a very difiicult matter. I propose to overcome such difiiculties as this by providing whereby the switch is opened through a changeable leverage, the power for breaking contact being applied through a relatively greatleverage to secure a relatively} great force and consequently apositive break whereupon the leverage is decreased to increase the speed of the movable switch member toward full open position which is so essential in breaking the electric arc.

A further feature of my invention is the provision of a switch of the above general Specification of Letters Patent.

of the links.

Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

1919. Serial No. 301,718.

type of simple, inexpensive and rugged construction.

A still further feature of my invention is the provision of a switch wherein the controlling mechanism in addition to operating the movable switch element controls auxiliary switching elements for indicating to the operatorthe exact condition of the switch, namely as to whether the movable switch element is in the open or closed position.

In accordance with the teachings of my invention the live parts of the switch are mounted upon insulators of any known or preferred type, an intermediate insulator being arranged between a plurality of links and adapted to open or close the switch upon the application of a suitable force to either In this connection another salient feature of my invention appears in the provision wherebythe supportin and the operating insulators of the switc either in direct tension or compression-when the switch is operating. There are no .torsional stresses to which such insulators have been commonly subjected heretofore.

Further important .features of my invention are the provision of an improved switch operating or controlling mechanism characterized by its ability to quickly and posi tively open the movable switch element and the provision of means for locking the movable switch element in either open or closed positions.

Other features of my invention not hereinbefore set forth will appear fromthe following detailed description and the claims taken with an inspection of the accompanyin drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a switch constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention; showing the same as adapted for'vertical mounting;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the are prises a tongue or terminal'lug 1, provided with a suitable base 2. The lower or hinge,

terminal comprises a terminal base 3 hav ing a pair of hinge jaws 4, extending outwardly from the opposite 1 edges ,thereofJ These upper and lower switch terminals are mounted by means of the terminal bases 2 and 3 upon suitable angle brackets 5 and 6.

The angle brackets 5 and 6 are mounted in this case upon insulator clamps 7 and 8 of any known or preferred type, although those disclosed in the pending application of Ernest H. Jacobs, Serial No. 274,159, filed J anuary, 31st, 1919, have been found to be preferable. The insulator clamps 7 and 8 are supported upon the tops or outer ends of the inclined insulators 9 and 10, the lower ends of which insulators are supported in insulator clamps 11 and 12, mounted upon. the inclined pedestals 13 and 14, which in-:

clined pedestals 13 and 14 are in turn mounted upon the channel iron-mounting base 15., The mounting base 15 is adapted to be mounted either'in vertical position Fig. (1) or in horizontal position Fig. (3) on the top of a sub-station on a tower or on one of the poles of the transmission line. The insulators 9 and 10 may be of any lmown or preferred type and may be mounted either obliquely Fig. (1) or at substantially right anglesFig. (3) to the base 15 as desired,

or may be mounted in inverted position if so desired.

Suitable socket terminals 16 and 17 (Fig. 3) are adapted to be mounted upon the terminal bases 2 and 3. The line wires 18 are suitably secured in these socket terminals.

The movable part of the particular switch shown comprises blades 19 and 20 ofthe truss type, although this is immaterial in so far as my invention is v concerned. The blades 19 and 20 are clamped at one end to the hinge jaws 4 by means of'a bolt21 and a pair of spring washers 22, which maintain a uniform spring pressure upon the blades to hold them against thevsides of the jaws 4. A spacing sleeve 23 is arranged upon the shank of the bolt 21 between-the jaws 4 to maintain the parallel spaced relation of these jaws. v I

The outer ends of the blades 19 and 20 'are held together and firmly against the opposite sides of the terminal lug 1 throu h suitable spring washers by means of bo ts 24 and 25. Guide members 26 provided ad'- ljacent each side of the terminal '1 guide the lades 19 and 20 over the end of the Such guide members are of articul r utility in connection with switches aving long blades such as the particular switc shown has; where slight play at the hinge terminal will frequently 'result in the'blade swinging out of line with the other terminal. These guide members 26 are secured to the terminal base 2 as by means of suitable rminal.

lativel bolts 27. The blades 19 and '20- are maintained in proper spaced relation throughout their length by means of suitable chanelled spacing, pieces 28 interposed therebetween. In order to assist in'the breaking of the arc in case the switch is opened when current is flowing through the conductors a horn- 29 is mounted on theterminal base 2 adja cent the end of the blades 19 and 20. This horn 29 coiiperates' with a horn '30 mounted upon the end'of the blades 19 and 20 to break-the arc as wellunderstood by those skilled in the art.

, The SWitchis operated by means of a movable insulator 32, mounted between the insulators 9and 10. The outer end of the insulator 32 is provided .with an insulator 7 clamp 33 having a tongue 34 extending therefrom. An arm 35, the lower forked end of which is pivoted at 36 to the angle bracket 6, is pivotally connected at its opposite forked end as shown-at 37 to the tongue 34. The upper end of the pivoted arm 35 is provided with a switch blade engaging shoe 38. The switch blade engaging shoe or member 38 is adapted when the arm 35 is swung about its pivot 36 as will be hereinafter described, to en age the blades.

19 and 20 forcing these bla es to the open position about the shank of the hinge bolt 21.

When the arm 35 is swung in a clockwise direction about its pivot 36 as will be described the blades 19 and 20 are returned to the closed position by means of a pair of links 40 pivoted at 37 to the tongue 34 and arm 35. The opposite end of the links 40 are mountedupon the shank of a bolt 41, extending between the switch blades 19 and 20. A spacing sleeve 42 arranged upon the bolt 41 between the links 40 serve to maintain these links in properspaced relation. The inner end of the insulator 32 is ad-- justably mounted upon a threaded stem 43. An arm 44 1s rigidly 'secured upon the operatmg shaft 45 by means of a set bolt 46 and is thereby adapted to rotate in unison with eted end of the connectin piece 53 extends to convenient position'at t e foot of the supporting structure and is there secured in a socketed lever arm-55. The lower end of the lever arm 55 is pivoted at 56 between a pair of spaced lugs 57 formed integral with and extending from an operating mounted upon a pin 60 journaled at its opposite ends in suitable bearings 61 which bearings are preferabl formed integral with .a housing 62. The ousing 62 comprises side and top walls for protecting-the auxiliary switching elements to be hereinafter described against various weather conditions and a mounting base 63 whereby the entire housing is mounted in a convenient position at the foot of the supporting structure.

It will be noted that the lever arm 55 is curved just above the pivot pin 56 in such a manner as to enable this lever arm to engage around'the pivotal center 60 of the operating lever 58 when the same is swung downwardly (as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 3), whereby the operating lever may be i swung through approximately'180 degrees.

In this manner the operating lever 58 is made self locking in either-its upper or lower position, so that any longitudinal stress in the operating rod 54 resulting from any tendency of the switch to change position is positively resisted by the automatic locking function of the operating lever 58. This is of importance in either the vertical or horizontal type ofswitch for the reason that the weight of the switch blade might otherwise tend to open or close the switch accidentally.

The lower pivoted end of the operating lever 58 is rovided with a pair of diametrica'lly opposite lugs 64 and 70 having suitable. openings 65 formed therethrough for locking the operating handle and consequently the movable switch element in either closed or open position as will be described later.

A sleeve 66 provided. with a contact arm 67 and a pair of fingers 68 and 69 adapted for cotiperation with the lugs 64 and 70 respectively is arranged upon a pin 71, journaled at its ogposite ends in the sides of the housing 62. he contact pin 81 is normally held in contact with the spring contacts 7 2- v the contacts 7 2 until the switch is completely opened, whereupon this contact is broken and the lower of the lamps 80 (Fig. 5) is lighted, indicating that the switch is open.

The fingers 68 and 69 are not arranged in the same vertical plane butare arranged so that the lug 70. carried by the lever 58 will upon rotation of the lever avoid the lug 68' and coiiperate with the lug 69 to swing the contact arm 67 in a counter clockwise direction about the pin 71. Upon swinging the lever 58 in the opposite direction the lug 64 will avoid the finger 69 and cotiperate with the finger 68 to swing the contact arm 67 in a clockwise direction about the pin 71. Y

Two sets 72 and 73 of spring contact members having cotiperating terminal sockets 74 and 75 are mounted upon a base 76 of insulation, which base of insulation 76 is in turn mounted upon the mounting base 63 of the housing'62. Conductors 78 having suitable sources of current 79 and lamps 80 inter posed therein are connected across each set of terminal sockets 74 and 75 respectively.

The two lamps thus provided are made distinctive preferably of distinctive colors in order that when the contact pin 81 carried by the contact arm 67 is bridged for example across the spring contact member 72 as shown in Fig. 4, the color of the lamp lighted thereby will indicate to the operator the exact condition of the switch, namely as to whether the movable switch element is in the open or closed position. y

The opposite side walls of the housing 62 are provided with openings adapted to register with either of the openings 65 provided in the lugs 64 and 70, which of these openings depending of course upon whether the switch is in the open or closed posit ion. When in the positlon shown in Fig. 4 a headed bolt 85 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 is adapted to be inserted through the registering openings provided in the lug 7 0' and in the side walls of the housing 62 respectively. The opposite end of the bolt 85 is provided with a transverse aperture through which the bow of a suitable padlock is adapted to be inserted to securely lock the operating lever 58 against rotation.

o operate the switch assuming the blades 19 and 20 to be in-the vclosed position as shown in Fig. 1, the padlock 86 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 is removed, allowing the locking bolt 85 to be withdrawn. The handle 59 is then grasped and the operating lever 58 is revolved in a counter clockwise direction about the axis of the pin 60. The lug 57 and the pivotal connection 56 are thus revolved about the pin 60 moving the operating rod 54 downwardly. This downward movement of the rod 54 causes rotation of the shaft 45 through the pivoted arm 50. The arm 44 afiixed upon the shaft 45 is there-' by rotated in unison therewith moving the insulator 32 forwardly. This forward movemeeting switch remains closed for a long while opening'of the same becomes very diflicult. In the event that the switch is operating insulators of -the switch are in direct tension or compression when the switch is operating. There are no torsional stresses to which such insulators have been commonly subjected heretofore. Obviously, this is a distinct advantage as a porcelain insulator for example is able to withstand a much greater stress in tension or compres sion than in torsion.

. Upon initial movement of the operating lever 58, that is, upon initial opening of the. switch, power is applied through a lever of contact termmal for said member, means enconsiderable length, 2'. 0., from the hinge bolt 21 to the point of contact A of theshoe 38 with the blades 19 and 20. Thus a relatively great force is applied in breaking contact between the blades 19 and 20 and the terminal lug 1, insuring positive opening of the switch. Upon breaking contact .t hereafter only sufiicient force being necessary to overcome the friction of the hinge clips the power is applied through a relatively short lever arm corresponding to the sine of angle 21, 37, 41 or the sine of angle B, giving great speed to the switch blades, which is very vital in breaking the electric are between the horns 29 and 30.

Upon initial movement of the operating lever 58 the blades are positively forced out .of-contact with the terminal lug 1 through the shoe 38, which shoe 38'engages the switch blades 19 and 20 substantially intermediate the terminal lugs 1 and 4, the pin 41 sliding through the slots C provided in the links 40,

until the blades leave the terminal lug 1.

Upon this positive breaking of contact the point of force is transferred over to the links 40 and pin 41 providing a much shorter lever and corres ondingly much higher speed of the blades 191 and 20.'

When the blades have been revolved to full open position the aperture in the lug 64 is adapted to register with the apertures provided in the side walls of the hous ing 62, whereupon the locking bolt 85 may be arranged therethrough and the padlock 86 inserted to securely lock the switch in open position. When in this position the contact pin 81 is bridged across the spring contacts 73 and a lamp 8O lighted thereb to indicate to the operator that the switc is in open position. I Upon removing the locking bolt 85 and swinging the lever 58 in a clockwise direction about the pin 60 "the blades 19 and 20 are swung into engagement with the upper terminal lug 1 through the links 40.

While I have'described my invention'in connectionwith the details of a particular embodiment I do not intend thereby to limit the invention. to such details'as I am aware and contemplate that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the invention which is set out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a movable switch member, a pivot terminal for said member, a contact terminal for said member and means engageable with said movable switch member within its length for forcing said member out of engagement with said contact termi- -nal, said means remain ng in engagement with said switch member for only a part of its motion.

2. In combination, a movable switch member, a pivot terminal for said member, a

gageable with said. movable switch member within its length for forcing said member out of engagement with said contact termi- -whether said member is in open or closed posltion.

3. In combination, a movable switch member, a pivot terminal for said member, a contact terminal for said member, means engageable with said movable switch member within its length for forcing said member out of engagement with said contact terminal, said means separating from cooperating engagement with said switch member at a predetermined position of the latter, and a shaft for actuating said means from a distance, said shaft having connection with a pivoted operatinglever.

4. In combination, a movable switch member, a pivot terminal for said member, a contact terminal for said member, means engageable with said movable switch member Within its length for forcing said member out of engagement with said contact terminal, a shaft for actuating saidmeans from a distance, said shaft having connection with an operating lever, said operating lever controlling anauxiliary switching element for indicating as to-whether the switch is in open or closed position and automatic means associated with said operating lever for locking said switch in either of said posi-' tions. 7 r v 5. In comb1nat1on,a movable switch member, a pivot terminal for said member, a contact terminal for said member and an operating mechanism whereby power is applied at one point of said switch member to break contact between said movable switch member and said contact terminal and thereafter applied at a different point of said switch member to increase the speed of said movable switch member toward full open positlon.

6. In combinatioma switch having a movable switch member, a shaft adapted for rotation, a plurality of links having con-I nection with said'shaft whereby upon initial rotation of said shaft the switch will be opened by means of a force applied 'atone point of said switch member, further rotation ofsaid shaft causing a force to-be a thereof. I i

7 In combination, a movable switch member, apivot terminal for said member, a contact terminal for said member, a pivoted lever adapted for cdiiperating with said movable switch member to break 'eontact between said member and said contact terminal, and a link connection between said pivoted-lever and said movable switch memer through which I said movable ,switch member is thereafter swung about said pivot terminal at an increased speed.

8. In combination, a movable switch mem ber, a pivot terminal'for said member, a contact terminal for said member, a p1votedlever adapted for cooperating with said movable switch member tobreak con tact between said member and said contactterminal, a link connection between said pivoted lever and. said movable'swltch memer through which said movable switch member is thereafter swung about-said pivot terminal atan. increased speed, a shaft adapted for rotation, a link connectmg' said shaft and said pivoted lever,-an operating lever for rotating said'shaft from a. dismovable switch member, a shaft adaplted tance and means, associated with said operating saidmovable switch member is in open or closed position. a

9. In combination, a movable switch member, a pivot terminal for said member,a contactterminal for said member, a shaft adapted for rotation, means having cOnnec-' tion with said shaft for moving said movable switch-member out of cooperation with said contact terminal upon rotation of said shaft, means for indicating. as to whether said movable switch member is in open or closed position and means for automatically locking said first named means against accldental motion for locking said switch member in either of said positions.

10. In combination, a switch having a for rotation, connections between said s aft. and said movable switch member for operating said member upon rotation of said shaft, an operating lever for rotating said applied to said movable switch member at different point to increase the speed lever for indicating as to whether shaftl from a distance, said operating lever \being movable over dead center for: lock ing said operating lever in open or closed position, said auxiliary circuit for indicating the position of said movable, switch member.

. 11. In combination, a switch having a movable switch member, means for moving said movable switch, member into open or closed position, said'means having an operating shaft, said shaft having connection with an operating lever and automatic means assoclated with said operating lever operating lever controlling an for locking said switch in either open or closed osition. a

12- n combination, a movable switch member, a contact terminal for said member, a pivoted operating lever for actuating said switch member, said operating lever being movable into or over its dead center positions for automatically locking said lever and'said switch m mber against accidental opening or clos' g of said switch member.

f 13. In combination, a movable switch member, a contact terminal for said member, remote control mechanism situated at a point remote from said switch member and adapted to actuate the latter, said remote control mechanism com rising a manuall operated pivoted han 1e, a rod exten ing from said handle and having operative connection with said switch member, said handle being movable into or through two diametrically opposite dead center points for movable switch member, against accidental movement into either open or closed position 14. In an electrical switch, switch terminals, a switch member adapted to connect "said terminals, an operating mechanism engageable with saidswitchmember for forc- 1n the same into open position, said operatmg mechanism separating from operative.

connection with said switch member after the initial opening motion of the latter, connections between said switch member and said operating mechanism fo closing the switch,'said operating mechanism controllin an auxiliary switching element for indicating as to whether said switch member is in open or closed pos1t1on.

15. In an-electrical switch, sw1tch terminals, a switch member adapted connect said terminals, an operating mechanism engageable with said switch member for forcing the same into open position, said operpositively locking said ating mechanism and said switch member separating after the initial opening motion of the latter, switch member and said operating mecha nism for closing the switch, actuation of said operating mechanism controlling an auxiliary switching element for indicating connections between said as to whether said switch member is in open or closed position, a and means associated with said operating mechanism for locking said switch tions.

' 16. In combination, a pair of insulators, clamps mounted on said insulators, brackets supported on said clamps, switch terminals on said brackets, a pair of switch blades pivoted to one of said terminals, a lever pivoted to one of said brackets at a point eccentric to the pivot point of said switch blades, said. lever being engageable with said switch blades and means for swinging said lever into cooperationwith said blades to open the switch.

. 17. In combination, a pair of insulators, clamps mounted on said insulators, brackets supported on said clamps, switch terminals on said brackets, a pair of switch blades pivoted to one of said'terminals, a lever pivoted to one of said brackets at a point eccen vtric to the pivot point of said switch blades,-

said lever being engageable with said switch blades, a shaft for actuating said lever from a distance and means for indicating as to whether the switch is in open or closed position. v

18. In combination,

a pair of stationary switch terminals,

a movable switch member pivoted to one of said terminals and adapted for cooperation with the other of said terminals, a movable insulator mounted between said terminals, a shaft for actuating said insulator from a distance, a blade engaging member on said insulator adapted to impart a large opening force to saidmovable switch member to force said member quickly and positively into contact breaking position, and independent means for completing the opening motion'of said switch member. a

19. In combination, a switch having" a movable switch member, a pivoted lever adapted for cooperating with said movable switch member to open the switch, means for actuating said pivoted lever, said pivoted lever separating from cotiperative engagement with said switch. member, and means connecting said movable switch member and said pivoted lever, whereby. said movable switch member may position.

20. In combination, a movable switchl member, a pivot terminal for said member,

a contact terminal for said member, a rocking insulator adapted for cooperating with said member to swing the same about said pivot terminal, an operating lever for con trolling said rocking insulator from a distance, said-movable switch member is in open or closed position, and automatic means associated with said operating lever for locking said member in either of said positions,

member in either ot-said posi-- switch operatin be returned to closedmember.

means 'for indicating as to whether 21. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a pivotally swinging member required to'have. a motion of variable force and velocity applied thereto, a driving arm transmitting a driving force to. said swinging member at one point of the latter during a predetermined part of the motion of said swinging member, and means coiiperating with said winging member-[and said driving arm for transferring the point of application of the driving force between said driv ng arm and said swinging member during a second predetermined part of the motion-of said swinging member.

' 22. In combination, a movable switch member, a contact terminal for said member, mechanism comprising a member adapte to exert a relatively large switch opening force at arelatively long radius. during the initial motion of said switch member, and a link connecting said member with a point of relatively shorter radius for thereafter transmitting an increased velocity to said switch member. 23. In combination a pivoted switch member, a contact member for said pivoted switch member,'a driving arm and means for applying a relatively great levera e from said driving arm-to one point of said pivoted switch member to break contact between said :member and said contact terminal and thereafter a decreased leverage at another point of said switch member for increasing the speed [of said pivoted switch member. 1.

24. In an electrical switch, the combinationof a contact terminal, a movable switch element cooperating therewith, and switch member, a switch operating arm ivoted eccentrically to said movable switc member said operating arm, said ,arm transmittin a switch opening force to said switch mem r at one point during one partof the motion of said switch member, and transmitting an accelerated motion to another point of said switchmember durin a second part of the motion of said switch means for actuating 26. In a switch, a movable switch blade, a stationary hinge terminal upon which said blade is pivoted, a contact terminal for cooperation with said blade, a switch operating arm pivoted eccentrically .to the pivot of said switch blade, said operating arm transmitting a relatively large force to said switch blade by engagement therewith, and means connecting said operating arm and said switch blade for transmitting an accelerated motion to said switch blade during a predetermined part of its throw.

27. In an electrical switch, the combination of a contact terminal, a movable switch element, .and switch operating mechanism comprising means exerting a relatively large force upon said movable switch element during the initial part of its motion, and a relatively large velocity during the remaining part of its motion, an operating insulator connecting with said operating'mechanism, and means for transmitting motion through said insulator in such manner that said insulator is not subjected to torsion or lateral breaking stresses.

28. In an electrical switch, the combination'of a contact terminal, a movable switch element, a switch operatin member for imparting a relatively power ul contact breaking force to said switch element, a link connecting said operating member with said switch element for transmitting an accelerated motion thereto during a predetermined part of the throw of said switch element, an operating insulator connecting with said operating member, and means for transmitting operating motion through said insulator substantially longitudinally thereof to avoid torsion and lateral breaking stresses in said insulator.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 27 day of May, A. D. 1919.

CHRISTEN CHRISTENSEN. 

